How to Develop Long Distance Basketball Shooting Range

When extending your range, you need to know about some surefire RIGHT and WRONG ways to get it done.

You need to be very careful because all too often players will try to extend their range and acquire some subtle, yet dead-serious shooting flaws!!

The trick is to extend your range while maintaining the EXACT SAME FORM.

There are only TWO ways to increase your range:

INCREASE YOUR PHYSICAL STRENGTH AND POWER.

ADJUST YOUR SHOT MECHANICS FOR ADDITIONAL POWER.

With that said, we'll teach you exactly how to increase your range both ways. It's up to you to decide which method you choose.

Many times, it's best for players to make very small improvements in both areas.

How to increase your physical strength and power for increased range.

The most obvious answer is to start a weight training program. Increasing the strength of your entire body will help. You'll want stronger and more explosive legs, core, wrist, forearms, and triceps.

In addition, by simply practicing more, you will increase the strength of your wrists and forearms. Taking 500 shots a day will increase your strength.

Lastly, you can try using a heavy ball (twice the weight of a regulation ball) and then going back to the regulation size one. Players usually find it easy to shoot from farther out because of the contrast. Wait until at least junior high before working with an oversized or weighted ball.

If you use a weighted ball, be sure to practice away from the basket. Do form shooting with one hand. Put your guide hand in the normal position, but an inch off the ball so you're not touching it. Focus on shooting the ball high and far, but do not sacrifice good form in order to do so.

How to adjust your mechanics for additional power.

This can be tricky because changing your mechanics can throw off your shot. Big changes to your mechanics will require you to retrain your muscle memory and you'll need thousands of repetitions to retrain your muscle memory.

In most situations, it's best to make very minor adjustments to your shot delivery.

ADJUSTMENT TECHNIQUE #1

A good technique for developing range is to intentionally shoot the ball all the way over the backboard. This kind of power is achieved through using optimum leg power and releasing the ball a split second before reaching the top of the jump motion. If done properly, then generating enough force to shoot over the backboard, even from beyond the 3-point line, is not that difficult.

Once players realize how much power is available through this motion, they can learn to control it for shooting at the rim. Since this takes less force than shooting over the backboard, players have more confidence shooting from long ranges.

It's important to shoot a split second BEFORE you release the top of your shot. You'll lose tremendous power if you jump, hang, and shoot on the way down. Plus, you just give your defender more time to block your shot.

ADJUSTMENT TECHNIQUE #2

Another effective technique is to drop your elbow. If you watch Steve Nash you'll notice that he drops his elbow when shooting three pointers. If you're going to adjust mechanics, this is a good option to consider because it doesn't alter your delivery mechanics too dramatically.

ADJUSTMENT TECHNIQUE #3

Yet another technique to consider is to try to decrease the time that it takes to get the ball from your shot chamber to your release point. This will add power to your shot and increase your range.

The safest way to increase shooting range

If you want to take the safest route, here's a surefire way to extend your range without sacrificing your accuracy.

Let's say you are proficient at mid-range but you want to become a great 3-point shooter...

The obvious answer is to practice. The question becomes what to practice. Shooting revolves around rhythm and form, so that is where the answer lies.

It might sound strange, but to become a better 3-point shooter, you have to practice a lot, close to the basket. Take 100's and 1000's of shots 12' from the basket. The purpose for this is to really ingrain your shooting form from an area that you can shoot comfortably and have some success. It doesn't make a difference what drills you do or how you practice it, as long as the primary thrust of the work is your form.

Once you have your form ingrained, gradually move back. If you get to a point where you feel the rhythm change or your form start to change, that is the limit of your range. Stay at that spot until your shot feels like it did at 12 feet. Once it feels comfortable again, shoot several hundred shots until it becomes automatic again.

Once it feels automatic again, start to move back until you reach the limit of your range and shoot continually from that spot. Once you feel comfortable from behind the 3-point line, you can start shooting drills that will make you more proficient.

Players struggle from behind the arc because they have to change their shot to get the ball to the basket. This not only makes the shooter inconsistent from the 3-point line, but it affects his shot from everywhere else. Remember, to be a good shooter, you have to take the same shot every time, no matter where you shoot the ball.

wow ur site is amazing i especially to help my shooting because im gamalways down on myself when i miss a shot and the POSITIVE thinking is a great tool for making new shots and the best part of my game is mid range but never could shoot great behind arc untill i read this article thanks bbiggg help

It sounds like you are shooting out of your range.... stay inside the arc until you gain enough strength to shoot the ball with correct form.... IF you keep shooting 3s with bad form you will develop bad habits which are tough to break. ( I know, everyone wants to shoot threes or dunk the ball - do what you do best / play to your strengths and develop the rest of your game. )

Amos ou - Jeff is right... don't worry, everybody develops at a different age... I've seen a couple of 12-13 year olds with a jumper but most kids that age are not ready for that shot.

Another effective technique is to drop your elbow. If you watch Steve Nash you'll notice that he drops his elbow when shooting three pointers. If you're going to adjust mechanics, this is a good option to consider because it doesn't alter your delivery mechanics too dramatically."

This is genius!! Tried it out at shoot around today and once i got the principle and the timing was draining some 3s (obviously not perfect) but I have never really practice three as much due to a lack of confidence and also I didnt know which technique to use didnt really want to go gung ho with high jump jump shots since i also have a a bit of tendonitis so needed the technique which utlitizes all my body and not just my arm (plus its a softer landing hehe) agin i have to say genius!!!!

If I had a player that shot well and his form was not exactly like we taught, I wasn't about to start changing it.

So, IF this is working for you, go for it. I would say as long as you aren't dropping your elbow too far, it should be a problem.... you don't want to get into a habit of dipping the ball a lot, that slows your release.

I have the exact OPPOSITE problem of what a lot of other players have. When I shoot from any range, with proper form (which is what I try to use at all times), I OVER shoot. I can't follow through the way I should when I shoot, I have to conciously stop myself from doing so. I tried adding more arc to the shots and that works, but it then turns into a huge rainbow shot and I have to think about doing it before I shoot, slowing down my release. Have you come across this before? And do you have any tips for fixing this? Thanks in advance!

Kwinton, it's impossible to determine without seeing you shoot, but here are some thoughts.

Maybe it's a mentality thing. I've seen shooters who move rigidly. When preparing for the shot, you should be thinking quick to get your feet ready and the ball to your shot pocket. Once the balls is in your shot pocket, you should think "soft and smooth." To emphasize that Stephen Curry-like smooth follow through. Too many players stop at their set point trying to emulate Dwyane Wade and Lebron.

Also for your follow through, make sure you finish with a relaxed wrist. You want to avoid snapping your wrist.

I would like to add that proper footwork is needed to not only to improve range but to stay balanced so the shot stays online. Proper balance is when your weight (center of gravity) is centered directly between your feet with both feet pointing straight at the target, spaced shoulder width apart. It is easiest to accomplish that when you pivot into your shot so that you don't have to rely solely on shifting your weight to get balanced - you shift your weight AND use your non-pivot foot to center your weight.

Pivoting into your shot also improves your range for a couple of reasons. First, you can jump higher when you step into your shot - because you take advantage of your body's natural stretch reflex response, which means you recruit more muscle fibers into pushing off the floor when you stretch those fibers immediately before doing so.

Second, you are able to release the ball when you are rising up at a faster speed when you step into your shot. That is because stepping into your shot gets your weight moving downwards just before you push off the floor. As you set your non-pivot foot on the floor, you raise the ball into shooting position and extend your legs at the same time; the ball is moving up while your body is still moving slightly down. Your direction does not reverse instantaneously as you apply force to the floor. As you continue to apply force, your direction reverses and you start to rise, but in the meantime you have given the ball a head start towards the set point where the ball is balanced in your shooting hand and you are ready to let it fly. This head start allows you to release the ball while you are rising up faster off the floor, which expands the distance you can comfortably shoot from. That means you can tap into that extra speed generated from jumping while shooting with the same smooth stroke rather than having to heave the ball.

I am an outstanding three point shooter. I can hit 3s like its my job. my problem is how to shoot the ball longer? also i have a "clean" follow through but for some reason the basketball is ALLWAYS to the right if i miss. can you give me a very detailed explanation on how to improve this? also give me tips?

It sounds like you are automatic from the arc or slightly beyond? Do yourself a favor and take this slowly, don't go from 20' to 26' right away.... that will mess up your shot for sure. A couple of feet at a time until you are comfortable with the shot and are successful.

Here are three techniques written above for adjusting your shot for power and distance-

How to adjust your mechanics for additional power.

This can be tricky because changing your mechanics can throw off your shot. Big changes to your mechanics will require you to retrain your muscle memory and you'll need thousands of repetitions to retrain your muscle memory.

In most situations, it's best to make very minor adjustments to your shot delivery.

ADJUSTMENT TECHNIQUE #1

A good technique for developing range is to intentionally shoot the ball all the way over the backboard. This kind of power is achieved through using optimum leg power and releasing the ball a split second before reaching the top of the jump motion. If done properly, then generating enough force to shoot over the backboard, even from beyond the 3-point line, is not that difficult.

Once players realize how much power is available through this motion, they can learn to control it for shooting at the rim. Since this takes less force than shooting over the backboard, players have more confidence shooting from long ranges.

It's important to shoot a split second BEFORE you release the top of your shot. You'll lose tremendous power if you jump, hang, and shoot on the way down. Plus, you just give your defender more time to block your shot.

ADJUSTMENT TECHNIQUE #2

Another effective technique is to drop your elbow. If you watch Steve Nash you'll notice that he drops his elbow when shooting three pointers. If you're going to adjust mechanics, this is a good option to consider because it doesn't alter your delivery mechanics too dramatically.

ADJUSTMENT TECHNIQUE #3

Yet another technique to consider is to try to decrease the time that it takes to get the ball from your shot chamber to your release point. This will add power to your shot and increase your range.

Without being able to see your shot, its difficult to say what is wrong.... you say that you have a "clean" release. I'm not sure what you mean by that.... is your FORM correct? Is your thumb pointing to the right as you shoot? (shooting hand) This could push the ball to the right.

Pick the ball up with one hand into your shooting pocket...your thumb should be pointing to the left..and as you release the ball, it should still be pointing to the left. Do some FORM shooting against a wall to make sure that you are releasing the ball properly (one handed) Then move to the blocks and do the same thing. This might take 100s of shots to correct your thumb... IF it is pointing to the right as you release the ball. You might ask someone to watch you shoot and tell you where your thumb is ending up.... since we cant see it.

When you are receiving a pass, give them a good hand target, catch the ball like you are ready to shoot it.... not from the middle of your body.... IF I was covering you, I would just stick my hand in your chest, forcing you to turn/pivot to shoot. Try to get the ball towards your right side.

Now, I don't know how old you are OR how well you are shooting the ball...... (like I said, we cant see your shot) IF you are very successful, you might want to go about this slowly, I wouldn't want to mess up your shot. Talk to your coaches and ask them for suggesstions.

This page has been gr8 thanx alot!! I figured out a good way to do it also..... U start off from 3-4 feet away from basketball and shoot only with legs and fingertips, then gradually move back as u start hitting more and more until u get to the 3 line.

Do yourself a favor, don't worry about 3s right now. By you telling us that you cant shoot from the arc with proper form tells us that you are not ready for that. Be patient, threes will come as you get older, bigger and stronger.

How far from the basket can you shoot with good form and a good %? That will tell you where you should be concentrating right now... then take one step back until your form is still good and you have a good %.

Hi. I've been just practicing today after about a week or more of not shooting and I've noticed my shot has been going to the right. My shot also doesn't have as much arc as it used to. I've been playing basketball for a long time and I'm a good shooter who can sink these shots at the line. So developing this problem will not help with my growth in basketball.

Hi, lately I have been missing quite the 3 pointers, I''ve noticed that I keep changing my shot which I know is a bad habbit. I was very good with behind the arc until a couple months ago. I only make half the % than what I use to make. Any idea how to help this???

I would suggest that you go back to working on your form.. BEEF check.... shoot against a wall, the go to the basket - block,middle,block until you have your form corrected. Use one hand to start with.

As for your arc. as you are shooting and following through... your elbow should be around your eye/ear area. That should give you the proper arc.

TPS --

You should do some FORM work also... find something that is comfortable for you and that works. When you are having problems shooting, get to the free throw line so you can check your FORM out

You already know that continually changing your your shot will get you nowhere... start closer to the basket and work your way back as you see that your results are good. Consistency is important, so continue to practice AFTER you are sure that your form is good and that its comfortable and works for you.

How do all the college players not over power there shot, because they jump the same height even when theyre shooting at close range. when i shoot close i cnat jump other wise i will over power my shot.

This is pretty tough since we cant see your shot or how you are shooting during games. There could be many reasons why you are having some problems. Can you describe what is happening during games - what your shot looks like?

First of all, relax and have some fun playing.... you are NOT going to make every shot. Baseball players hit .300 and make millions... and that means they are failing 70% of tth time.

1- Your form is good?2- Are you practicing at game speed?3- Are you forcing up shots instead of letting the shots find you?4- Are you taking GOOD shots?

Maybe you can get someone to video your shooting-- 1) at practice 2) during games ... look and see what you are doing and see if there is any difference.

Talk to your coach - ask him for some suggestions and IF you can afford to get a personal trainer to help you, that can help.

Be patient with yourself.... and have some fun.

Here is something that I told my players, WHEN YOU ARE STRUGGLING WITH YOUR SHOT, GET YOURSELF TO THE FREE THROW LINE That way you can take a few form shots and check out what you are doing.

What distance are you shooting from when you start? Its hard to tell since we cant see your shot.... but maybe you should move in a little closer to the basket... the longer you play in a game, the more tired your legs become, so you need to be in good shape when the 4th qtr comes along. Use your legs to help you with your shot.

Lets start at the FREE THROW LINE... while 60% is not bad for a 14 year old.. lets try and get that to 65-70?

That means you are going to have to shoot a couple 100 a day, maybe more. Shoot them in increments of 10... step away and come back... then 10 more etc. Shoot 100 and then step back to about 17 feet and shoot 50. Back to Free throws and finish off with 17 footers.

Hello.I need some advice.I have been playing basketball since I was 8, now I'm 16.I want to make it to the nba.My 3 point % is at 90% in practice (after shooting 40) in game it's at 68%.any advice on how I can improve 3PT percentage in game!? :)

Keep practicing. When you practice take came like shots at game speed. Do things that happen often in a game. For example, pretend you are coming off a screen, catching, and shooting just like in a game. If you are really shooting 68%, that is incredibly good. Just keep practicing.

I am a junior in high school and I'm 5'4 and 120 and can take a jumpshot from the edge of the jump circle and make it consistently. I have always just had natural range. I have been shooting from deep since elementary school and I feel bad for the guys who can't hit normal 3's and I'm just back there shooting from deep

I'm 13 and can shoot from 25 ft while still being under control. I just practiced shooting threes no up close shots just shooting 3s I can shoot 200 at a time as well and out of a hundred I make 39 of them from 25ft out. And I can drive past one of our varsity point guards. My first year playing organized basketball was this year so.